Maze puzzle



2, 1955 D. J. DERRIG 2,714,511

MAZE PUZZLE Filed Sept. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig 2 Dona/d J Derrig INVENTOR.

w M-aqs MAZE PUZZLE Filed Sept. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Fig.5

Donald J. Derr/g INVENTOR.

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United States Patent Ofiice Zildfll l Patented Aug. 2, 1955 MAZE PUZZLE Donald J. Derrig, Watkins Glen, N. Y., assignor of fifty per cent to Rocco Sindoni, Waverly, N. Y.

Application September 30, 1952, Serial No. 312,335 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-153) This invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly to a maze puzzle.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a puzzle toy employing the principle of the maze which will be entertaining, interesting and amusing and which will require skill and ingenuity using the sense of touch for determining the solution.

Some of the features of the invention reside in the unique arrangement of the maze, and the means including a shaft having an arm mounted thereon which arm is used as a finger for determining the solution of the maze.

These together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this amusement device, preferred embodiments of which have been shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of one form of the amusement device;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of another form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a different form of the invention as taken along the plane of line 5-5 in Figure 6; and

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 6- 6 of Figure 5 showing this optional form of the amusement device.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the first form of the invention as shown in Figures 1 through 3. This device consists of a cylindrical container 12 having arcuate inner and outer side walls 14 and 16 respectively which have fixed at the ends thereof end walls 18 and 20.

Secured to the inner side walls 14 of the container 12 are a plurality of parallel spaced annular ribs 22 each of which is formed with transverse slots 24 therein. As can be readily determined from an inspection of Figure 2, the slots 24 are oifset from each other so as to form a maze. It is to be understood that the container 12 may be formed of thin wall construction from such material as paper board and the like, and the ribs 22 will then per form the additional function of reinforcement. The maze may be as complicated or as .simple as desired in design by use of as many ribs 22 as desired, and the slots 24 can be varied in size or number for each rib.

Extending through the end walls 18 and 26 of the container 12 is a shaft 26 which is provided with handle portions 28 and 30 at the ends thereof. These handle portions 28 and 30 may be of such design as to readily permit even a small child to grasp them and may also perform an additional function as stops to limit the motion of the shaft 26. Secured on the shaft 26 is an arm 32. Upon rotation or longitudinal movement of the shaft 26,

the arm 32 will abut against a rib 22 until it is so rotated and moved as to enter a slot 24. Then the shaft may be moved upwards through the slot 24 into the .space between the lower rib and the rib next above. Thus, the operator of the device is forced to use his sense of touch to direct the arm through the maze.

Referring now to a modification of the invention as shown in Figure 4, it will be seen that there is provided a casing having inner and outer walls 34 and 36 respectively which are provided with ribs 38 having the slots 40 therein. The .shaft 42 is likewise provided with an arm 44. However, in this modification the container does not form a complete cylinder and is open at one end thereof as at 46. Stops 43 of suitable design are provided so as to prevent the arm d4 from being rotated out of the container. Thus, there is provided a maze puzzle which the operator can readily inspect during or after an attempt to solve the maze.

\eferring now to Figures 5 and 6 wherein there is shown another form of the device, it will be seen that herein the container is provided with inner and outer side walls 5i and 52 respectively having end walls 54 and 56 affixed to the ends thereof. The inner side wall 56 has aflixed thereto in spaced relationship the annular ribs 5'8 forming trackways $5 therebetween. There are further provided longitudinal stops 59. The transverse slots or passageways 6d are provided to permit passage between trackways 55 while being offset from each other to form a maze. It is to be understood however that a container as is shown in Figure 4 may be readily used in lieu of the container as is shown here in Figure 6. Afiixed to the container by means of a disk 62 is a tubular rod 64. R0- tatably mounted on the rod 64 for longitudinal movement relative thereto is a shaft 66. Secured to the shaft 66 and reinforced by member 68 is an arm '70 for solution of the maze in the manner similar to the arms 32 and 44. A guide or bushing disk 72 is attached to the inner wall of the end wall in operation this form of the device permits the operator to solve the puzzle by movement of the tubular shaft 66 about the axial rod 64. The rod 64 insures the reinforcement of the device and the retention of its shape while permitting such to be constructed with the shaft extending outside of one end.

Since from the foregoing the construction and advantages of this amusement device will be readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit may be readily resorted to by those skilled in the art.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new 1. A puzzle comprising a cylindrical container having inner and outer side Walls and end walls affiixed to said side walls, an axial rod extending between said side walls,

container forming trackways therebetween, the outer end of said arm riding in one of said trackways, said ribs each having a transverse slot therein through which the arm can enter the next trackway, and a plurality of stops extending between said ribs in said container, said arm being engageable with said stops to prevent rotation of said shaft throughout 360 between any pair of said ribs.

2. A puzzle comprising a cylindrical container having inner and outer side walls and end walls affixed to said side walls, an axial rod extending between said side walls, a tubular sleeve shaft rotatably mounted on said rod extending through an end Wall and into said cylindrical container, a laterally extending arm on said shaft, and a plurality of spaced annular ribs on the inner walls of said container forming trackways therebetween, the outer end of said arm riding in one of said trackways, said ribs each having a transverse slot therein through which the arm can enter the next trackway, said slots being offset from each other to form a maze, and a plurality of stops extending betwen said ribs in said container, said arm being engageable with said stops to prevent rotation of said shaft throughout 360 between any pair of said ribs, sai

stops being offset from each other to further define a References Cited in the file of this patent 6l5,38l 2,541,4ll

UNTT ED STATES PATENTS 

